Safety Toilet Paper Roll Holder

ABSTRACT

A toilet paper roll holder includes multiple safety features for use in institutional settings. The safety features may include a rod pivotally mounted on a base wherein the rod will pivot upon the application of an outside force having at least a predetermined magnitude.

This application claims priority on a U.S. provisional patent application filed on Mar. 14, 2012, and assigned Ser. No. 61/685,314.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toilet paper holders may be utilized in institutional settings where individuals may wish to harm them self. It may be desirable, therefore, to provide a toilet paper roll holder that hinders an individual from using the holder to harm themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a toilet paper roll holder that provides safety features for use in an institutional setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back view of one example embodiment of a base and rod mechanism of a toilet paper roll holder.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the mechanism of FIG. 1 taken along lines A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of one example embodiment of a toilet paper roll holder.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the holder of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the holder of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one example embodiment of a spindle of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the spindle of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the spindle of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional side view taken along lines A-A of the spindle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is cross-sectional bottom view of the spindle of FIG. 9 taken along lines B-B of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of one example embodiment of paper holder rod of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the rod of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the rod of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a side cross sectional view of the rod of FIG. 14 taken along lines A-A of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a holder including enclosed sides.

FIG. 17 is a side view of one embodiment of a rod retaining detent screw of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 18A is an end top view of the screw of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18B is an end bottom view of the screw of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an end view of one example embodiment of a detent spring of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the detent spring of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a side view of one example embodiment of a bearing sleeve of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the sleeve of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side cross sectional view of a base taken along lines A-A of FIG. 26.

FIG. 24 is a side view of one example embodiment of a base of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the base of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a side view showing internal components of the base of FIG. 23.

FIG. 28 is an end view aligned along a spindle receiving recess in the base of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back view of one example embodiment of a base and rod mechanism of a toilet paper roll holder 10. Holder 10 includes a base 20 that pivotally supports an arm or rod 24 such that the rod 24 may rotate in a direction, such as a downward direction 52, about a pivot axis 54 when a force is applied in a direction, such as a downward direction 56, on rod 24. Rod may be biased to pivot upwardly in a direction 58 when force in downwardly direction 56 is removed, such that the rod 24 returns to its unbiased horizontal position shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments the rod 24 may be returned to its unbiased position by application of a manual force in an upward direction 58. Holder 10 may be manufactured such that the amount of force in downward direction 56 that will result in pivoting movement of rod 24 will be slightly greater than the weight of a roll of toilet paper 26 (FIG. 4). In this manner holder 10 will hold a roll of toilet paper 26 on rod 24 but when a greater force is applied to rod 24 the rod will “give way” or pivot downwardly such that rod 24 may not be utilized to secure a ligature thereto.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the mechanism of FIG. 1 taken along lines A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the mechanism of FIG. 1. Base 20 includes a top surface 20 a that is positioned at an angle 20 b in a range of approximately five to twenty degrees, and more particularly, 15 degrees, with respect to a bottom surface 20 c of base 20, wherein bottom surface 20 c of base 20 may be mounted on a mounting plate of a housing 12 (FIG. 4) or may be mounted directly to a mounting surface such as a wall. The inclined position of top surface 20 a with respect to bottom surface 20 c allows for a streamlined profile of top surface 34 or head of spindle 22 and also provides for a smooth downward pivoting motion of spindle 22 about its pivot axis 54 (FIG. 2), which is positioned perpendicular to top surface 20 a of base 20.

Base 20 also defines an angle 20 d that is approximately fifty to seventy degrees, and more particularly, fifty nine degrees. This angle 20 d will cause a ligature to slip over the tapered base and down onto the rod, and thereafter to slide off the rod by triggering the breakaway function, i.e., pivoting, of the rod. In other words, this angle 20 d will hinder a ligature from becoming secured to the taped base.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of one example embodiment of a toilet paper roll holder 10 wherein rod 24 supports roll of paper 26. Roll 26 is covered on its upper surface by an upper portion 12 a of housing 12 and a wall mounting region 12 b of housing 12 including a mounting plate 90 that supports base 20 thereon.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the holder 10 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the holder 10 of FIG. 4. Holder 10 includes a housing 12, a spindle retaining detent screw 14, a fastener 16, a detent spring 18, a base 20, a spindle 22, a detent 23, and a rod 24. A standard roll of toilet paper 26 may be placed on rod 24. Holder 10 includes many safety features. For example, the sloped upper surface 28 of upper region 12 a of solid housing 12 hinders securement of a ligature thereto and also hinders access to base 20 and rod 24 for securement of a ligature thereto. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the housing 12 includes enclosed side regions 30 that further inhibit securement of a ligature to the housing 12, to base 20 or to rod 24 of the holder 10. Base 20 may be mounted on a mounting plate 90 wherein fasteners 92 may extend through the mounting plate 90 and housing 12 to secure holder 10 to a mounting surface such as a wall. Spindle 22 may be manufactured of aluminum whereas detent 23 may be manufactured of steel to increase the durability of the system as spring 18 rides on detent 23.

Holder 10 also includes the safety feature of a base 20 that includes a smooth, sloped side surface 32 in the general shape of a truncated cone such that a ligature, such as a rope, a wire, hair, a bed sheet or the like, may not be secured thereto. Spindle 22 includes a rounded top surface 34 that inhibits securement of a ligature thereto. An outer surface 36 of rod 24 defines a tapered truncated cone such that the outer diameter 36 a of rod 24 decreases as the diameter measurement point moves away from spindle 22 such that the tapered outer shape 36 of rod 24 inhibits securement of a ligature thereto. In other words, a person could not tie a ligature around rod 24 and pull downwardly without the ligature slipping off rod 24 due to the tapered, sloping outer surface 36 of rod 24, and due to the pivoting structure of rod 24 mounted on base 20, which will be discussed in more detail below.

Holder 10 further includes a safety feature wherein rod 24 “drops”, i.e., will not support a load having a weight significantly greater than the weight of a roll of toilet paper. For example, in one embodiment, the rod will not support a weight of approximately twenty pounds applied to the rod near the base and a weight of approximately two pounds applied to the rod near the tip of the rod. However, in other embodiments the rod will not support a much smaller weight such as approximately half a pound. The structure of spring 18 and detent 23 may determine the exact weight at which the rod rotates in each particular embodiment, wherein spindle 22 with rod 24 secured therein, will rotate within base 20 when a load is applied to the rod 24. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in operation, fastener 16 secures detent spring 18 to base 20. An end 38 of spindle 22 the detent 23 is positioned between first and second arms 40 and 42 of spring 18. End 38 of spindle 22, namely, detent 23, includes two flat regions 44 and 46 (FIG. 11) and two rounded regions 48 and 50 (FIG. 11). The flat regions 44 and 46 define a distance 45 there between that is less than a distance 49 between two rounded regions 48 and 50. In an unbiased condition, with the rod 24 in a horizontal position, the flat regions 44 and 46 of spindle 22 will contact spring 18. As a downward force is brought into contact with rod 24, detent spring will hold spindle 22 in place by contact at flat regions 44 and 46 of detent 23. However, as the force on rod 24 increases, such as to five pounds of force or more applied at the end of rod 24 or approximately twenty pounds of force applied to the rod 24 near base 20, the biasing force of spring 18 will be overcome by the force on rod 24 and arms 40 and 42 of spring 18 will spread apart, thereby allowing spindle 22 to rotate such that curved or rounded regions 48 and 50 will be in contact with arms 40 and 42 of spring 18. In other words, spindle 22, and attached detent 23, is retained in place, with rod 24 in the horizontal position, until an outside force of approximately five pounds or more is brought into contact with rod 24. If for example, a ligature is secured around rod 24, once five pounds of force is applied to the rod 24 by the ligature, the rod will move downwardly as spindle 22 spreads arms 40 and 42 of spring 18, and any ligature on rod 24 will fall or be pulled off the end of rod 24. In this manner, holder 10 incorporates many safety features which allow the holder 10 to be used in institutional settings where individuals may be a threat to themselves.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one example embodiment of a spindle 22 of the holder of FIG. 5. Spindle 22 includes detent 23 secured thereto, wherein detent 23 includes a recess 60 that includes flat surfaces 44 and 46 and rounded surfaces 48 and 50. Detent spring 18 is received within recess 60 and rides on surfaces 44, 46, 48 and 50. Spindle 22 also includes a recess 62 for receiving an end of rod 24 therein.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the spindle 22 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the spindle 22 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional side view taken along lines A-A of the spindle 22 of FIG. 9. Spindle 22 includes recess 62 for receiving rod 24 therein and an elongate recess 64 for receiving retaining detent screw 14 (FIG. 6) therein. Recess 62 is angled with respect to surface 22 a of spindle 22 at an angle 66 of approximately five to forty five degrees, and more particularly, at an angle of approximately fifteen degrees. Accordingly, recess 62 is angled with respect to axis 54 at an angle of approximately seventy five degrees.

FIG. 11 is cross-sectional bottom view of the spindle 22 of FIG. 9 taken along lines B-B of FIG. 9 showing flat surface 44 and 46 and rounded surfaces 48 and 50 of recess 60 of the detent 23 secured on spindle 22.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of one example embodiment of paper holder rod 24 of the holder 10 of FIG. 5. Rod 24 includes an aperture 68 that receives an end of retaining detent screw 14 (FIG. 6) therein so as to retain an end 24 a of rod 24 within spindle 22 (FIG. 6).

FIG. 13 is a side view of the rod 24 of FIG. 12 showing aperture 68 positioned coaxial to pivot axis 54 and positioned at an angle 70 of approximately seventy five degrees with respect a centerline of rod 24. The centerline of rod 24 and the mounting surface of mounting plate 90 of housing 12 (FIG. 6) may be positioned parallel to one another in an unbiased position of the rod. Accordingly, pivot axis 54 of spindle 22 is positioned at an angle 67 (FIG. 10) in a range of sixty five to eighty five degrees, and approximately 75 degrees, with respect to a surface plane 94 of mounting plate 90 (FIGS. 6 and 10) and positioned at an angle 69 of five to twenty five degrees, and approximately fifteen degrees, with respect to an axis 96 perpendicular to surface plane 94 of mounting plate 90.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the rod 24 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a side cross sectional view of the rod 24 of FIG. 14 taken along lines A-A of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a holder 10 including enclosed side walls 30 included within housing 12. Side walls 30 inhibit a person from tying a ligature around upper region 12 a of housing 12.

FIG. 17 is a side view of one embodiment of a rod retaining detent screw 14 of the holder 10 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 18A is an end top view of the detent screw 14 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18B is an end bottom view of the detent screw 14 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an end view of one example embodiment of a detent spring 18 of the holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the detent spring 18 of FIG. 19. Spring 18 includes a small looped region 72 for receiving fastener 16 (FIG. 6) therein and a larger looped region 74 for receiving recess 60 of detent 23 secured on spindle 22 (FIG. 7). Larger looped region 74 is defined by a section of spring 18 that defines first and second arms 40 and 42 of spring 18. Spring 18 may be manufactured of a somewhat rigid and resilient material that has a memory in that the material of spring 18 will return to its original shape after the removal of an outside force that moves spring 18 into a biased shape. For example, arms 40 and 42 (FIG. 1) may be slightly spread apart when spindle 22 is turned such that rounded surfaces 48 and 50 (FIG. 11) of detent 23 secured on spindle 22 force arms 40 and 42 apart. When spindle 22 is returned to its nominal horizontal position with flat surfaces 44 and 46 (FIG. 11) positioned adjacent and in contact with arms 40 and 42 of spring 18, spring arms 40 and 42 will return to their unbiased nominal position as shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 21 is a side view of one example embodiment of a bearing sleeve 76 of the holder of FIG. 5. The sleeve 76 is press fit into recess 82 to provide a smooth, self lubricating bearing surface for the rotation of spindle 22.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the sleeve 76 of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23. is a side cross sectional view of a base 20 taken along lines A-A of FIG. 26.

FIG. 24 is a side view of one example embodiment of a base 20 of the holder 10 of FIG. 5. Base 20 includes top surface 20 a and bottom surface 20 c. Bottom surface 20 c includes a recess or a cutout region 78 having a lower surface 80 that is positioned parallel to top surface 20 a of base 20. Base 20 further includes a recess 82 for receiving bearing sleeve 76 and spindle 22 therein and a recess 84 for receiving fastener 16 therein.

FIG. 25. is a bottom view of the base 20 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the base 20 of FIG. 24. Base 20 further includes two apertures 86 and 88 positioned on opposing sides of aperture 82, wherein apertures 86 and 88 are sized for each receiving a fastener 98 (FIG. 6) therein to secure base 20 to mounting plate 90 (FIG. 4) from a backside of mounting plate 90. Apertures 86 and 88 may not extend completely through base 20 such that the fasteners 98 may not be accessible to a user of holder 20 when holder 10 is assembled with mounting plate 90 secured on housing 12 and on a mounting surface, such as a wall.

FIG. 27 is a side view showing internal components of the base 20 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 28 is an end view aligned along a spindle receiving recess 82 in the base 20 of FIG. 23. 

We claim:
 1. A toilet paper roll holder, comprising: a base that defines a sloped outer surface; and a rod pivotally secured to said base, said rod structured to support a roll of toilet paper thereon and structured to pivot in a predetermined direction upon application of a predetermined force applied to said rod in said predetermined direction.
 2. The holder of claim 1 further comprising a spindle, said spindle pivotally mounted on said base and said rod secured to said spindle.
 3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said spindle includes a curved top surface including an aperture therein, and wherein said rod is secured within said aperture.
 4. The holder of claim 2 wherein said base defines a mounting surface and wherein said spindle defines a pivot axis positioned at a pivot angle in a range of sixty five to eighty five degrees with respect to said mounting surface.
 5. The holder of claim 2 wherein said spindle includes a detent secured thereto, wherein said detent includes a recess that defines two flat surfaces and two arcuate surfaces, said holder further comprising a spring secured within said recess, said spring contacting said two flat surfaces in a nominal condition, and said spring contacting said two arcuate surfaces in a biased condition.
 6. The holder of claim 5 wherein said two flat surfaces are spaced apart a first distance and said two arcuate surfaces are spaced apart a second distance, said second distance being greater than said first distance.
 7. The holder of claim 1 wherein said rod defines a tapered outer surface such that a diameter of said rod decreases as a point at which said diameter is measured is moved away from said base.
 8. The holder of claim 4 wherein said base defines a mounting surface and a top surface, said top surface positioned at an angle of ninety degrees with respect to said pivot angle.
 9. The holder of claim 5 wherein said base includes a mounting surface that includes a recess therein, said spring and said detent recess both located within said recess of said base.
 10. The holder of claim 1 wherein said base is mounted on a housing, said housing including an upper sloped surface positioned above said base and said rod.
 11. The holder of claim 2 wherein said spindle defines a pivot axis, and wherein said aperture for securing said rod is positioned at an angle in a range of sixty five to eighty five degrees with respect to said pivot axis.
 12. The holder of claim 10 wherein said housing further comprises side walls secured to said mounting surface and to said upper sloped surface with an absence of a gap there between.
 13. The holder of claim 9 wherein said base includes a top surface and wherein said mounting surface is positioned at an angle in a range of ten to forty five degrees with respect to said top surface, and wherein a lower surface of said mounting surface recess is positioned parallel to said top surface.
 14. The holder of claim 2 wherein said spindle defines a rounded head region that defines a outer diameter, wherein said base defines a top surface that defines an outer diameter having the same dimension as said spindle head region outer diameter, and wherein said head region of said spindle mates flush with said top surface of said base around said head region outer diameter.
 15. A toilet paper roll holder, comprising: a base comprising a tapered outer surface; a spindle pivotally mounted on said base and including a rounded top region; and a rod secured on said rounded top region of said spindle, wherein said spindle is structured to pivot upon application of an outside force applied to said rod.
 16. The holder of claim 15 wherein said spindle is structured to pivot in response to an application of said outside force so as to pivot to a position wherein said rod is positioned parallel to a direction of said outside force.
 17. The holder of claim 16 further comprising a biasing member secured to said base, said biasing member including a loop that extends around an elongate region of said spindle and retains said spindle in a nominal, unpivoted position until said outside force reaches a predetermined magnitude.
 18. A method of hindering securement of a ligature to a toilet paper roll holder, comprising the steps of: providing a holder that includes a base secured on a mounting plate; securing a pivoting spindle to said base; and securing a rod to said spindle, said rod adapted to support a toilet paper roll thereon; wherein said spindle is adapted to pivot on said base in response to application of an exterior force to said rod.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said base includes a tapered outer surface that inhibits securement of a ligature thereto, said spindle includes a rounded outer surface that inhibits securement of a ligature thereto, and said rod includes a tapered outer surface that inhibits securement of a ligature thereto.
 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising securing a biasing member to said base, said biasing member holding said rod in an unpivoted position until application of an external force of at least a predetermined magnitude is applied to said rod. 